The Dillon tribune., 1887-12-16
4 TENDElsFOOR'S TROUBLES.
4 'TenlcrfOOt" Tells About Il Trip o.
the Hurricane Deck OF a "Genufne
Mexican Plug" Of a Mare. ,.at =

To the Editor OF The Dillon TKIBrNE;
No vocation is more traught with 'hard-
ships nor attedded with SO few chances Of
success as the life of prospector, yet in
the ranks Of these advance guards OF civi.
lization are found men who have grown
gray in the service, encouraged in the hope
OF making strike by the sudden acquisi-
ton OF wealth BY one Of their number.
Hence, it was in the year 1873. actaa,od By
the feelings Of a hopeful imagination that
l, in company with two old mountaineers
directed my course from Virginia City, to-
ward the reputed "placer fnd' near Jack
sons Lake, east Of the Teton mountains.
Our transportation consisted Of eight bron>
cos and one mule. Only for this fact would
this recollection Of an unsuccessful gold
hunt have been recorded, ant the desire y
caution the inexperienced pilgrim against
the deceotions Of the average Montana
cayuse has prompted me to give my expert
cnces.
Docili,y Is very laudable trait especial.
~ in mule or full blooded bronco, and Il
generally appreciated and utilized, particu-
liari.y by inexperienced horsemcn, but q
has been trsthfully said appearances are
often deceptive" aud apparent deviltry Is
merely keeping in reserve latent forces for
especial, unlocked for leats Of diversified
agility. Among our collection Of broncos
was meek looking white mare that seem
ed we'll adapted for pilgrim rider, and
consequently was we'll selected by myself
as an animal well suited for comfort and
safety, but in this case was literal verif|-
cation Of the observation-disclosures not of
the morrow, for thou knowest not what It
may bring FORTH" In passing along the
Lake Shoshone, deep in meditation Of na-
ture's grandeurs, and serene in the thoughts
Of appreciation Of humanity towards dumb
brutes, was suddenly recalled to passing
events by the antics of my heretofore pa
cific quadruped who suddenly sprang int
the air, and by her remarkable dexterity
succcededed in displacing my hat, which.
assisted BY a gust Of wind, f,oated towards
the opposite shore, almost instantly follow.
ed by my mare, Fanny" who seemed in
tent on exploring the lake before proceed
ing further by land. Having finally sue.
ceeded in regaining land, after the loss OF
hat, canteenas, and needle gun, l was greet
ed with the friendly advice to take a boat
if desired to explore the lake, and was
told that my bath would be unreasonable
and conducive to mountain fever. From
this onward was almost daily misshap,
and furnished my companions considerable
amusement. They "joshed' me on my
graceful riding, posture and teemed with
suggestions as to the proper posture to as.
sumo in striking the ground. With each
success "Fanny" became more sanguine,
and her exhibitions were attended with
more visciousness. Her two last exploits
fully equaed the cayuse capers so laugha.
bly, told by Mark Twain in his celebrated
effort to ride a "Genune Mexican Plug"
"Fanny,' dumped yours, truly, and drag
ged him him, foot in stirrup, something less
than a mile, if memory runneth not to the
contrary, and, in her final effort, the docilc
old white cayuse mare lifted her rear cx-
tremity fully fifty degrees in the air, send.
ing myself heels over head into Il rest OF
boulders, with saddle, gun and equipments
ON top. 1t was 4 close call for !; ten.icrfoot
My companions affirmed that if they sue
cecded in reaching Virginia City with ,ne
in safety that they would never b. caught
away from home again with a tenderfoot
) PROspEtToE
Birch Greek, December, 1887.
TRIBUNE STEAM JOB OFFICE